LiberatED Podcast
Kerry McDonald
The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families.
This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org.
This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 1, 2024 • 38min
Combining homeschooling and school for teens in New Jersey
Scott Gallagher taught in public schools for 17 years before joining the founding team of Raritan Learning Collaborative, a full-time self-directed learning center for homeschooled teens located in Flemington, New Jersey. Raritan is part of a consortium of self-directed learning centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Liberated Learners network. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 29, 2024 • 37min
An Arkansas charter school leader on why families need more options
Rebecca Newby taught high school English in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas public schools before becoming principal of Friendship Aspire Academy, a K-5 public charter school in Pine Bluff that is seeing skyrocketing demand from local families looking for new education options. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 25, 2024 • 38min
After 10 years in public schools, this Montana teacher launched an Acton Academy
A high school math teacher and principal in Montana public schools for over 10 years, Rusty Bowers launched Bozeman Innovation Academy, a K-8 Acton Academy affiliate, in fall 2023. Acton Academy is a fast-growing network of schools focused on learner-driven education. Founded in 2009, the Acton network now includes over 300 independently-operated schools, serving thousands of learners. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 22, 2024 • 45min
The benefits of dual enrollment programs for founders and families
Nathan Fellman was a public middle school teacher and administrator in New Hampshire for about 20 years before leaving his job to launch The Harkness House, a middle school microschool in Nashua, New Hampshire, which opened in fall 2022. Harkness House is a state-recognized private school that also has part-time enrollment options for homeschoolers, and some students attend at a reduced tuition thanks to the state's school choice programs. More families were asking for high school options, so Nate and his team decided to explore dual enrollment options, partnering with a local community college to expand offerings for high schoolers. Why Teachers Are Finding Meaningful Careers In Microschools (Forbes.com) *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 18, 2024 • 53min
A Sudbury Valley School Staff Member Reflects on 35+ Years at the Flagship Sudbury-Model School
Mikel Matisoo, a seasoned educator at Sudbury Valley School since 1988, shares his journey from aspiring horticulturist to educator. He discusses the profound impact of self-directed learning on students and the unique philosophy of the school that champions autonomy. Mikel reflects on how the school evolved, the benefits experienced by multiple generations of his family, and the challenges faced during the transition to alternative education. Plus, he reveals insights on empowering students and the school's flexible enrollment policy.
Oct 15, 2024 • 38min
Leading one microschool while activating others, with Microschool Solutions founder Rachelle Noble
Rachelle Noble, founder of Microschool Solutions and Noble Microschools, shares her journey from charter school teacher to microschool innovator. She discusses the rise of microschools and their potential to personalize education. Rachelle emphasizes the need for nurturing learning environments, especially for marginalized communities, and explores how educational accessibility can empower students. She highlights the challenges founder face, like recruitment and funding, while advocating for the transformative power of alternative educational models.
Oct 11, 2024 • 40min
With 100K+ families, Secular, Eclectic, Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers sees steady growth
Blair Lee, founder of Secular, Eclectic, Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers, shares insights from her journey with a rapidly growing online community supporting 100,000 families. She discusses the evolution of homeschooling, especially post-COVID-19, and the unique challenges faced by secular homeschoolers, including those with neurodivergent children. Blair emphasizes the importance of community support, collaboration, and sustainable business models to foster inclusivity and engagement. Her advice offers valuable guidance for parents considering homeschooling.
Oct 8, 2024 • 36min
Successful homeschooling outcomes, with founder Kymberly Kent
Kymberly Kent is the cofounder and director of eXtend Homeschool Tutorial in Maryland, a faith-based homeschool program offering a la carte classes in core academic subjects for roughly 100 elementary, middle school, and high school homeschooled students. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 4, 2024 • 40min
A microschool aims to make a “colossal” impact by scaling
Shireen Rattigan, founder of Colossal Academy, discusses her journey from public and Montessori school teacher to innovator in education. She shares how she transformed a pandemic pod into a thriving microschool network, focusing on personalized learning and community building. Shireen explores the benefits of franchising microschools and launching Colossal Online, emphasizing project-based learning and real-world applications. She also highlights the importance of accessibility in education, aiming to empower families with diverse options for their children’s learning.
Oct 1, 2024 • 43min
Creating a forest school for middle schoolers
Jaime Peterson and Rebecca Westbrook Toker, co-founders of Reconnect Nature School in Chattanooga, advocate for nature-based learning for middle schoolers. They share their journey in creating educational alternatives, emphasizing the need for outdoor environments, especially for neurodiverse learners. The discussion touches on the emotional challenges of transitioning schools and the exciting yet daunting path of entrepreneurship. They envision expanding their programs into high school while promoting community support and personalizing education for all.
